Dallas Cowboys confirm suspicion about their blockbuster Caleb Downs pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys got one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft by taking safety Caleb Downs out of Ohio State at pick No. 11. His immediate role is now clear after Brian Schottenheimer’s comments.
How good was the Dallas Cowboys’ selection of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in the first round? Enough to influence real estate decisions from new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
“Now I’ll buy a house,” Parker told Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer after the pick, the latter revealed in the post-draft press conference.
After moving up one spot from No. 12 overall, the Cowboys picked Downs with the 11th pick of the draft. Considered one of the smartest players in the class and one of the most versatile players overall, a fair question to ask is: Where will he play in Dallas?
Cowboys confirm suspicion on Caleb Downs role
For Schottenheimer, Downs’ immediate role is clear, even though the team sees him playing multiple spots. Expect Dallas to allow Downs to man the nickel spot.
That should be no surprise, as the Cowboys have have openly described as a need earlier in the offseason. That combined with the emergence of the nickel position around the league (and Parker’s emphasis on the position) made Downs a likely candidate for the role all along. Now Dallas is openly confirming the suspicion.
“You’re talking about a guy we see playing multiple spots,” Schottenheimer said in the Cowboys’ post-draft press conference. “The starting point for him is going to be playing nickel for us.”
A key part of playing that role is being able to cover speedy receivers and big, physical tight ends alike. All while being a part of the run fit. Schottenheimer and the Cowboys think Downs can do all that.
“You got a guy like that that is that physical and that athletic, and he’s got the ability to cover receivers and tight ends and also play the run and more importantly drive the defense and make the calls,” Schottenheimer added.
Though the Cowboys didn’t make a huge jump in Round 1, they traded up one spot out of fear of another team jumping in front of them where the Dolphins were picking. Owner and GM Jerry Jones revealed Downs and one other player were they’re only trade up candidates.
On a similar note, Downs was one of four players Schottenheimer told Jerry Jones it would “make him sick to this stomach” if the Cowboys didn’t get.
Downs will put his football IQ to the test at nickel
Schottenheimer doesn’t expect Downs to rock the green dot as a rookie, as he believes a linebacker will carry that burden. However, the rookie defensive back will have plenty of communication responsibilities on the field.
“The nickel is going to make a ton of calls,” Schottenheimer revealed. “He’s going to drive the communication, he handles all the change strength motions, whether we travel, whether we don’t. What you love about what he does is you see it on the film at Ohio State, not only does he speak, but he’s not asking for anyone else’s opinion. He’s making the call, and that’s what you’re doing.”
Downs sets the tone for the rest of the Cowboys draft. Dallas also added edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at pick No. 23 overall. Tomorrow, things will pick up. Using our own mock draft simulator (which is already updated for Day 2!), we’re already having fun thinking of the possibilities.
